America's Fallen Hero's

MSG. Benjamin F. Bitner

Master Sgt. Benjamin F. Bitner was born July 4, 1973, in Hagerstown, Md. and was a
1991 graduate of Greencastle Antrim High School in Greencastle, Pa.

Bitner died from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device (IED).

Bitner enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991 and attended Special Forces Assessment and
Selection in 1999. Later that year he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification
Course as an engineer sergeant.

He joined C Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne),
headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2003.

He deployed in support of various operations across the globe, including but not
limited to: Operation Flintlock, Africa, 2001; Operation Nectar Bend, Africa, 2004; Task Force Falcon in support
of operations in Kosovo, 2001 – 2002; Operation Desert Spring, Kuwait, 2002; Operation Iraqi Freedom and four
deployments to Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) with Company C.

Bitner’s military awards and decorations include six Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart; two Meritorious Service
Medals, three Army Commendation Medals with “V” device, three Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good
Conduct Medals, three Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals,
Kosovo Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, four Afghanistan Campaign Medals, two Iraq
Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terror Service Medal; three
Non-commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon; four NATO Medal,
Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutists Badge, Military Free-Fall Badge.

Bitner is survived by wife April, sons Gunnar and Rogue; and parents Roger and Beverly Bitner of Greencastle,
Pa.